Effective Not Affected

     Don't get bogged down with all the negativity, nay sayers and self doubt. It can be difficult to prepare especially for a family or group that does not support it. If you truly believe there may come a time when you'll need your preps be them skills, gear, supplies, etc. then you must press on. For those of us that are "preppers" whatever that term means to you, it is hard to imagine someone not wanting the comfort that comes with having preps. Conversely, for those that choose not to prep their beliefs are equally strong. They believe that nothing bad will happen or if it does it won't happen to them.

     You most likely won't be able to convince them to help or support your prepping so don't waste your time or energy. Here are some simple tips on how to be the grey man in your own home. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single foot step" Lao Tzu

1. Incorporate Fitness: Start slowly by suggesting a walk either around the neighborhood or a near by park or trail. You'll have much better results selling a stop and smell the roses walk vs. waking everyone up at zero dark thirty banging a metal trash can.
2. Stock Up Slowly: Buy preps in small amounts by adding them to regular grocery runs or shopping trips. So for example if there is a sale on canned goods at your local grocery that's a reasonable time to stock up. Or, adding a sewing kit and some duct tape in with your other items to your next hardware store or superstore run. Imagine coming home with a few more items each week vs. pulling in the driveway with a Mad Max style converted school bus full of MRE's and barbed wire.
3. Get Organized: Incorporate organizing and labeling your items in to your regular cleaning so it becomes second nature. Putting batteries in an organizer, medical supplies in a labeled bin, building or adding to a pantry and teaching rotation. These things will help introduce and normalize these items and the idea of keeping things stocked, organized and clean. Working your preps in to the landscape helps them fade in to the background. A clean organized space is easier on the eyes and mind than taking over your spare bedroom and filling it with 50 gallon water drums.
4. Use Your Preps: Start with one meal a week using only things from your pantry, a soup made from canned goods or Spam and eggs.
5. Incorporate Skills: Find ways to teach important skills by working them in to regular tasks or projects. Teach your kids the value of repairing things vs. tossing them out by mending a favorite clothing item. Demonstrate, explain, then have them do the skill. Incorporate knot tying in to regular yard work by demonstrating a knot, it's function and purpose then have them tie it themselves.

The idea here is to slowly acquire the preps and incorporate them in to your life. As those around you see the convenience of having items and skills at the ready it will slowly become normal to "prep".